On May 28, 2004, Mrs. Zdenka Boevova was appointed Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Varna

On this occasion a reception took place at Evksinograd residence in Varna. Guests of honour were H.E. Mr. Petr Dokladal, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic and his wife. Among the guests were also the Mayor of Varna Kiril Yordanov, the District Governor Yani Yanev, the Chairman of the Varna Court of Appeal Violeta Boyadjieva, Captain 1st rank Stanko Stankov, Gen. Veselin Petrov – Head of the Police, the whole diplomatic corps and other guests.

Interview with Mrs. Zdenka Boevova, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic

Mrs. Boevova, what are the short-term perspectives and tasks of the Czech consulate in Varna and in what direction are your efforts for their implementation aimed?
The consulate does faster and quality services in the region of Eastern Bulgaria, mainly in the cities of Varna, Burgas and Dobrich. Its main target is the tourist sphere. This year the number of Czech tourists in Bulgaria is expected to exceed 100 thousand people. Other important and standing tasks are the support for the business relations between the two countries, increase of the investments and attraction of more trade representations of Czech companies. An important mission in the educational field is to promote the exchange of pupils and students.

How will the municipal and district authorities of Varna assist you?
They are open and ready to encourage the future business and investment plans, the increase of cultural events in order to popularize the history and art of our country. I will be satisfied with my work if we manage to restore some contacts from the past.

How did you start your diplomatic career? Tell us something about yourself? What were you dreaming of as a child and did these dreams come true?
In 1975–1980 I studied Slavonic philology in the prestigious University of Brno. The following year I lectured in Old Bulgarian. Then I married a Bulgarian and we settled in the city of Varna. I have one daughter.

I started working as a diplomat in 1984 in the then existing general consulate of the Czechoslovak Federal Republic in Varna. After it was closed, from 1993 I worked in the private business sphere – I represented a couple of Czech companies at the Bulgarian market. I felt flattered and honoured to accept the invitation to become honorary consul for the city of Varna.

Since the qualities typical for my astrological sign – Taurus – are perseverance, tenacity and patience, I have always achieved my dreams. This helps me set clear goals and tasks in my activities.

I sincerely hope in future to be useful as consul in the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

On July 14, H.E. Mr. Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic, hosted a reception on the occasion of the National Day of the country. With it he also said goodbye to Bulgaria, where, as he confessed, he had lived “an extraordinary period”, three years very rich in a professional aspect that also enriched him from a “human and cultural point of view”.

The Minister of European Affairs Mrs. Meglena Kuneva congratulated the Ambassador of the French Republic on the National Day of his country and thanked him for the useful joint activities in the three years of his stay in Bulgaria

On the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Belgium, July 21, Independence Day, H.E. Mr. Philippe Beke, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and his wife hosted a reception. The elegant residence opened its doors for representatives of the government, parliament, the diplomatic corps, the media, culture and business .H.E. Mr. Philippe Beke, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium and his wife

On the occasion of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt, July 23, Day of the Revolution (1952), the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Mr. Ossama Mohamed Tawfik gave a reception. It was attended by diplomats, representatives of the business and cultural circles.

H.E. Mr. Ossama Mohamed Tawfik, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Mr. Mohamed Raslan, deputy head of the mission

On July 28, H.E. Mr. Yasuyoshi Ichihashi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, and his wife hosted a reception on the occasion of their departure from Bulgaria. Almost all Bulgarian ministers, many deputies, ambassadors, diplomats, artists and cultural figures came to say goodbye.

Accents in the activity of the Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria were the promotion of cultural exchange and the economic support for Bulgaria. Japan gave low-interest loans for the construction of the Sofia Metro, provided grants through the Programme for grants for local level projects, etc.

H.E. Mr. Yasuyoshi Ichihashi in conversation with Mr. Bozhidar Bozhinov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On July 30, the Moroccan people celebrate the Day of the Throne, which marks the fifth anniversary of the crowning of H.M. King Mohamed VI. This day is also the National Day of the Kingdom of Morocco. On this occasion H.E. Mr. Abdeslam Rharbaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, hosted a reception. At the residence gathered prominent politicians, MPs, diplomats, friends of the country. The hosts showed again the proverbial Moroccan hospitality and the guests remembered or just dreamed of Rabat and Casablanca, Sale and Marrakech. H.E. Mr. Abdeslam Rharbaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco

The colours of Morocco

In July, Sredets hall of the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Centre became a real oasis of the Kingdom of Morocco in Sofia. It was created by the atmosphere of the wonderful works of Dr. Shafik Subai, Iskra Pencheva, Dr. Todor Bulev and Tsvetomila Hristova, that charged the rooms with the aromas and colours of the ancient country. Organised by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Moroccan Embassy, the exhibition became an event in the bilateral relations of the two countries and an evidence of the invigoration of the ties between them. The occasion was the Day of the Throne of Morocco.

The exhibition was opened personally by H.E. Mr. Abdeslam Rharbaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to Bulgaria, and Mrs. Anda Palieva, Deputy Minister of Culture

On August 13, a solo exhibition of the Ukrainian artist Roman Romanishin was organised by the General Consulate of the Ukraine in Varna, the Festival and Congress Centre and the Ukrainian-Bulgarian Association “Black Sea Coast”. The Ukraine – a close look is the title of a wonderful guide, published by the Consulate General of the Ukraine in Varna with the cooperation of GETZ-GI company. This information guide introduces us to the geographical position, science, culture, history, religion and traditions of the Ukraine.

On the occasion of the Day of Independence of the Ukraine, an elegant reception was organised. It was hosted by the Consul General of the Ukraine in Varna Oleg Baranovsky and his wife Mrs. Olena Udenko. At the cocktail were present the regional consuls of Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey and Switzerland. Among the invitees were the head of the Varna Municipal Council Krasimir Simov, the vice district governor Alexander Farashev, the district governors of the cities of Dobrich and Yambol, the head of the RDIA-Varna Gen. Veselin Petrov, the director of the Festival and Congress Centre Iliya Raev, the manager of New Balkan Tours Rumen Ganchev, businessmen, politicians and magistrates.